[4 February 2026] Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global landscape, the GREAT Smart Cities Institute (GSCI) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has reached a pivotal milestone by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AECOM Asia Company Limited (AECOM), the global infrastructure leader. The landmark agreement was signed by Dr. Johnny Cheuk, Senior Vice President and Hong Kong Executive Leader at AECOM, and Prof. Hong K. Lo, JP, Director of GSCI and Dean of Engineering at HKUST. By matching world-class smart city research leadership with global infrastructure expertise, the partnership will act as an innovation engine for the city’s most ambitious development projects, addressing the complexities of the modern built environment.
 

A “Lab-to-Life” Synergy for Hong Kong’s Future

This alliance is a direct response to the global demand for infrastructure that is not only “smart” in its design but resilient and sustainable throughout its entire lifecycle. The partnership arrives at a critical juncture: as Hong Kong accelerates its digital transformation under the Smart City Blueprint 2.0 and advances the Northern Metropolis development, the integration of academic rigor with industrial scale has never been more urgent.

"To truly elevate the engineering industry in Hong Kong, we must move in lockstep to ensure our profession receives the recognition and status it deserves. It is through embracing innovation, seizing new opportunities, and a commitment to hard work that we will make a lasting contribution to our community. Our partnership with AECOM is a pivotal step toward achieving these goals. Together, we are building the future of the city, " said Professor Hong K. Lo.

Five Strategic Pillars of Collaboration

The partnership is built on five core commitments to advancing smart city ecosystems:

• Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating a high-level flow of technical expertise between academic researchers and industry practitioners.
• R&D Innovation: Jointly pioneering technology solutions to solve the most pressing industrial and societal challenges.
• Talent Development: Building professional pathways and supporting high-potential scholars to lead the next generation of the infrastructure sector.
• Scholarship Support: Investing in academic excellence to support high-potential students.
• Thought Leadership: Collaborating to influence policy and the long-term evolution of resilient, sustainable urban ecosystems.

Scaling the GREAT Framework

At GSCI, our mission is to drive the evolution of smart cities through the GREAT framework (Green, Resilient, Empowering, Adaptable, and Transformative). By combining our research rigor with AECOM’s end-to-end expertise spanning advisory, planning, and design to program and construction management, this alliance aims to establish a new model for industry-university collaboration and reinforces a shared commitment to a culture of innovation that benefits both the engineering profession and society at large.